The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-03-02
cold heart seemed for moment to stand

d pride, tor thy stern sake now many
hearts are wrung!
He should never know that she had
learned his treachery. He should simply
believe she did not care for him. "tlcrt
are your letters and the ring" she said
swiftly, glad that the darkness vailed
her pallor. ,.,
Jason Hawkes. received them in bitter
silence.
"As you choose, then, coouettc," he
muttered, and, turning. strobe away.
Minerva Woodford tossed wakefully
upon her bed that night. 1t was the first
great trouble of her life. First troubles
are so bitter.
Everything REQUIRED to her-cvery
thing that Miss Perkins had told her
concerning Mrs. Darrell. The widow was
Young and pretty. Why should Jason
care for hcr2 She had come from the
city and was bright with city ways and
city talk. She seemed to hive money in
abundance. Oh, it was cruel. The VIII lie
thing was cruel!
Minerva fell asleep only toward the
dawn. She rose pale and heavy-cyed for
the morning, yet strong in the intention
of concealins her grief.
The summer day dragged heavily
toward noon, more heavly after. Time
was so long, so long. 1t seemed CEN
tury since Miss Perkins had been there
with her tale of Ja, on Hawkes. devotion
to the young widow. But the dream was
over. 1t was Minerals task to forget
their plighted VOWS, to forget the hand
some face that had been 50 dear to her.
Probably he would leave the village
when he had married the widow.
Minerals eye, grew dim; she felt a
choking sen alton and stepped to the
open door, hoping the soft summer
breeze would cool her hot forehead.
AS she stood there she suddenly heard
a sharp cry of distress, then something
tore past in the road, beating up the vel
low dust in binding clouds.
ga runaway" she said, and her heart
seemed to cease beating for an instant.
She IAN down the path and out into
the road. The horses had dashed on, but
of wreck was perceptib!e q
short distance off.
Minerva thought she could see some
one lying by the roadside. She ran on
toward it at her utmost speed.
"Oh, Jason, Jasonw she moaned,
bending down over him.
Not dead, thank Heaven! Only
stunned, perhaps. She raised his head,
loosened his collar. and asked herself
what next.
Turning for O moment she looked back
down the road and saw some one going
in at her own gate. 1t was woman.
She flew back toward home to ask help
of whomever it might be.
1t was Mrs. Darrell She was very
pale. and addressed the girl anxiously.
'Im afraid an accident has hap
pened MIR. Hawkes.. His. team ran
away"
"He is lying in the road unconscious, !"
Minerva interrupted. 'Will you help
me some way TO-"
LET us 90 quickly" said the other.
And so they had not lost an instant.
Jason had come to himself.
"Badly shaken up, that's all, :" he said,
with an unncrved laugh, and, leaning on
their arms, limped back to Minerals
home.
Minerva drew up the arm chair in the
sitting-rool,, and left him there with
Mrs. Darrell, going herself into the
kitchen to make cooling drink for her
guests, perforce.
Through the open door between the
rooms she could hear Jason's voice
gloomy and disturbed.
"Good thing, perhaps, if 1 had been
killed. Wouldn't have cared much"
"Oh, hut you shouldn't say that" the
soft voice of Mrs. Darrell replied. "Iou
ought to care. Things may come right,
you know
Minerals heart seemed to twist up
within her in a sudden jealous frenzy.
She could fancy just how the widows
dark, soft eyes were gazing into his;
just how her white and graceful hand
lay on his arm.
Yes, things might come right. But
why should Jason speak gloomlly2 She
had given him his freedom.
The hand with which she offered him
the glass of lemonade shook percep-
tjbly.
Did Jason observe it:
sI am going away to morrow, Miss
Woodford," he said, rather sti!lly. "Pcr-
haps may carry your good wishes with
me. I Igreatly regret having made you
this trouble" o."
The widow had slipped out on the
porch.
"It is no trouble whatever. Mr..
Hawkes., " replied Minerva.
Miss Woodford," said a soft, smooth
voice from out among the roses: "won't
YOU please come out here nom
Minerva obeyed.
The widow came near the girl and laid
her gentle hand upon her arm
Il have heard so much of you," she
said, in low tone. 81 feel as if we
might be friends. I have been trying
to come and see you for so long; I was
on my way this morning. I'm AFRAID
you feel unkindly toward poor Jason.
Please, don't feel 80. lie has not been
to blame'--
Minerals heart was boiling within her.
She answered with on effort.
IL was not aware of any unkind feel
ings. 1t can interest you very little how
I feel'
"Oh, but pardon me! 1t interests me
exceedingly
"Oh!" said Minerva, with sudden
sarcasm. "To be sure forgot. Will
you permit me to congratulate Mr..
Hawkes?"
Mis-. Darrell looked perplexed.
sc Congratulated For WHAT"
"tpon his engagement to you," SAID
Minerva with little gasp.